[janetteB @replies]

@nerys I second @mudlark. It is a fun story, Tom Baker Doctor, Sarah Jane and lots of pseudo Egyptian silliness. One of the best stories from that era. It may wobble a little now (as in doesn’t quite stand up), but it is still a very enjoyable watch.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Moff’s legacy:

Timelords rehabilitated

The Doctor gets a new regeneration cycle

1 is 1, he turns the cylindrical uncamouflaged Tardis into a police box.

All three are trashed in TTC. Not just (sarcastic) ‘cheers Chris.’ More… ‘Oh that’s a bit vindictive really… was that REALLY your idea?’

@ps1l0v3y0u and @whohar and there you have my objection to TTC and why I gave up at the destruction of Gallifrey. It did seem spiteful especially knowing that Moff contacted RTD to make sure he was ok with the re-instatement of Gallifrey after the Time War. Showrunners past and present collaborating as it should be. I don’t think something like The Fiveish Doctors Roboot could have done done during the chib years.

cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

@whohar Sea Devils was a good story but like all Who at the time, plenty of padding and shades of sexism. It is one of my favourite Pertwee stories. RTD has a good point about the name. It is probably time it was changed though as you say, Homo Aqua is not entirely accurate but it has a nice ring to it.

cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

I have typed out a response twice now and both times neglected to copy before posting and lost the post. Will I never learn.

I was commenting on the strong fantasy element in “church”. Though one could argue that Dr Who is fantasy it is very grounded in a kind of sci fi way. Any fantasy type episodes tend to have a “rational” explanation. RTD does give us the salt and mavity as kind of get out of Jail free cards but is not convincing enough to explain the sudden tilt into full on fantasy in this episode. I find it jarring.

So not my favourite christmas special but there are a lot of good moments so I really should give it another chance.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@winston.I agree with on the disconnect between farting aliens and their murderous nature. RTD shows his strength and weakness as a writer in these episodes. He can write with depth and political bite but he does not know when to reign in the silly school boy humour. And these are the stories which introduce the wonderful Harriet Jones and, another feature of Post Gap Who is the recurring characters. (Only UNIT in the old series featured as recurring characters other than villains of course) Also the companion having a life beyond the Tardis is new and yes, Jackie is a great character. RTD addresses the hole that someone creates when they just vanish to go off and have adventures with the Doctor. Both serve to anchor the story in a real world.

So yes much to love in these two episodes. If only the aliens didn’t keep farting. It brings down the overall rating.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@winston There were many good moments in the past two series and it surprises me that they did not get better ratings. I also really liked Gatwa as the Doctor. I always have mixed feelings about RTD. He can be brilliant and he did bring Dr Who back but at times he needs someone to tell him that bigger is not always better and the universe does not have to end every series. His best stories, (like Moffat’s) were always the “small ones”, like Gridlock and Turn Left. He writes character very well.

I would love for RTD and Moffat to continue to pen the odd episode, to not sever ties entirely with the series but I also feel that new blood might be what the show needs if it is to continue.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@whohar Interesting names both. I had to research McTighe. I liked his remark that he entire career has been aimed at getting to work on Dr Who. Thorne has done some sterling work but not sure he has the flair required for Dr Who. Also he does seem to have a lot on his plate at the moment.

I have suspected that the 26 Yule special is RTD and Bad Wolf’s  Dr Who swansong.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@winston Halloween is a rather recent U.S. import here so door knocking has not really become widespread. We have only once had kids come to the door and we did not have “lollies”. for a few years after that we did buy some, “just in case” but they were never needed. Ours is an entirely child free street however, Plenty of dogs and cats, possums, bats, and ducks but no kids. when our boys were young there was only one other boy living over the road. They did not meet until a Turkish uncle visited and was horrified to learn that they did not play out on the wide, open, almost traffic free street. He got them out there playing football/soccer and Sam’s Mum ordered him to go and join in. Soon she was referring to him as our fourth son.

We spent Halloween this year dealing with last minute travel panics. Our two youngest boys have headed off to Thailand. their first holiday “alone”. the elder is almost ten years older than I was when I headed out into the world. Life is getting far too serious these days. I don’t think they have the freedom we had.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@whohar thanks for the link. It sounds as though the 26 Yule special might be RTD’s swansong. I expect there will be big announcements next year, new partnership,new show-runner new Doctor. Fingers crossed they chose well and realise that it takes more than just a big budget to make good Dr Who.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@winston We always include this episode with our Christmas re watch too. I do like it too though Rose’s costume is questionable but then, like Bill, she chose it herself. (Bill chose better)

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@winston I recall enjoying this episode at the time but I don’t think I have ever re watched it. I did enjoy the diversity of aliens, and the humour. From memory it was beginning to feel as though Dr Who was really back but it isn’t one that i chose when I am going back through old episodes to watch. So many better episodes were to follow.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@whohar that seems quite likely. I would say that the BBC feel that RTD has not delivered the series saving coup that they were hoping for and they are fumbling in the dark right now for any way to keep their cash cow afloat. I don’t have much faith in whatever decision they make right now but will keep fingers crossed because I am a stubborn optimist.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@ps1l0v3y0u Yes it does seem like clickbait rather than news. I suspect it is just that, something to fill a page, get Who fans to read in the hope they notice the adds on the side.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent Agree the relationship is subtle. Much is left to the reader to construe which is pitch perfect.

@ps1l0v3y0u Maybe the Doctor and Martha followed the spawning critters to Western Drumlins and got zapped. He was still holding the file which he had not had time to read. Or he put the file in his bigger on the inside pockets and forgot about it until he was zapped into the past.

Moff’s time travel logic is just not that, logical but time paradoxes rarely are. The angel episodes remind me of Curse of Fatal Death where he first played with time paradoxes. I think Moffat just can not resist a time paradox, his favourite narrative toy.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@whohar  I agree it is a move borne out of desperation hopefully not a misstep but that is perhaps my eternal optimism at play. fingers crossed it will be well handled if and when Who returns.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@whohar I doubt Billie Piper would play the Doctor for long. I suspect she is a “filler’ as there is no certainty as to when the next series will be and she stepped in as a favour to RTD and the show, and fans. I do think she could be good and would like to see her run with the role for a couple of episodes then hand on the baton to the next candidate.

@dentarthurdent I don’t agree with the Moff can’t write women but he did try perhaps a little too hard to make the main female characters strong. Bill Pots is I think the most rounded character. I never get the sense that the writer is trying to prove that he isn’t “sexist”. His claims that River Song and the Doctor are both psychopaths was incorrect and irritated me but overall Moff was a great writer. He has  massive task on his hands as show runner and there were some misfires during his tenure but given the scale of responsibility and pressure he was under I think he did a great job overall and the Moff years were my favourite of New Who. I would love for him to pick up the reigns again.

@ps1l0v3y0u Casting Billie Piper at the end was a practical decision I think without being cynical. It makes sense to use her as a stand in. RTD was in an awkward position and he set up the ending so that there was a face to run with when the next series eventually happens. Strategic planning are the words I would use. Not so much scraping the barrel as desperate measures for challenging times. (that reflects the current age really doesn’t it.)

cheers

Janette.

[janetteB @replies]

@winston I also like the fan club in Love and Monsters so agreed not all bad.it began well but the ending was questionable. Kill the Moon however I can find nothing positive about at all.

It would be nice to be able to do a Kryten (Red Dwarf) type memory wipe. (He had his memory of all of Agatha christie’s works deleted so he could read them again.)  Although I do enjoy rewatching and often get more out of a second or third watch.)

I actually think Billie Piper might be quite good as the Doctor. I would certainly like to see her in the role, even if it is only as an interim. (even though I didn’t always love her as Rose but I think she has developed a lot as an actor and given good scripts and direction..)

cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

also I am not keeping up with this thread. I have a lot more to read so apologies for my post being a little behind the flow of the discussion which I am enjoying and will comment on if time permits.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@winston that is a noble goal. All of the episodes, even Love and Monsters and Kill the Moon!!! I always skip a few when we re watch. I do like the plan though, from Rose to Dr Rose?.

I have such happy memories of watching Rose that first time, now over twenty years ago. (making it now into our cuT TV Club criteria but I still have some series of Old Who to cover. We are currently up to McCoy.) After the film in the 90s when I saw that Who was going to be revived I was not optimistic. I did not even plan on watching Rose until I read the review and decided to “brave” it. It did not take long to convince me and by the end, like you, I was excited to watch the next episode.

I did not always like the way the character of Rose was written. WE were told too often how wonderful she was which was irritating. I prefer to form my own judgement of a character. Also at times it felt as though BP was a little too self aware. Seeing BP on stage as herself I realise that she is not like that at all. Again I think that is a fault in scripting and direction rather than of the actor. Still overall I really enjoyed the first season. I liked that the Companion became more of a character than in Old Who with a character arc and background.Eccleston and Piper clearly enjoyed working together and did a fine job of kickstarting New Who.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@ps1l0v3y0u that would explain why I did not find that episode so shocking. I was watching the edited version from DVD or maybe VHS. I think my s/o bought me the box set one Christmas or birthday.

Re companions. Barbara could be quite critical at times but as with Sarah Jane it depended on the writing. I felt that the writers really let the character of Sarah Jane down as her introduction was promising but she was reduced to screamer with twisted ankle as time went on and lost some of her spark and backbone and yes she definitely deserved a better final story as did Leela and Romana II. I have barely watched the later Tom Baker episodes. I thought the writing went downhill after Douglas Adams left.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@ps1l0v3y0u I was about 11 or 12 when i watched I Claudius but because it was ABC, (Australian Broadcasting Commission) Mum thought it was “respectable” until the ABC announced that they were censoring an episode. She got a bit jittery about my watching it after that. I think I had to skip one episode but watching it later don’t really see why the fuss. Perhaps we have all just been desensitised by GOT and the  like.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@ps1l0v3y0u You would be thinking of Phineas Finn? I was a young teen when the family inherited a 50s vintage black and white tv set and The Pallisers, (BBC) was airing along with such classics as War and Peace and I Claudius. (oddly it was several years later that I discovered Dr Who)

@winston I love our library and try to actively support it as a volunteer. I rarely borrow books now the children are older though but I do buy plenty from the book sales. There is a lovely cafe outside the library, and the culture heritage centre downstairs where I go every week to record a podcast so I spent quite a bit of time in the complex and it has became such a community hub. Libraries are going through a process of reinvention to become community centres which is wonderful. (during the heat waves in 2019 the library extended their hours so people could escape the heat or bushfire danger.)

you are lucky to find Dr Who merch’ in what we in Oz call Opp shops. I almost never find any. I did see a Dr Who backpack recently and almost bought it but changed my mind. I don’t think it would be used by us. I was happy to see that it has been bought so someone else is enjoying it.

cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

@ps1l0v3y0u that is a good list and nothing that I would disagree with. “chucklegramps” always makes me chuckle.

I look forward to your list of old Who companions. that might take some time.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@ps1l0v3y0u We do have a good library system. Can borrow from any library in the state which is handy though Fftd is in our local library. I have seen it on the shelf, did not realise that we did not already have it.

cjeers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@ps1l0v3y0u Really glad you drew attention to this. I realised that we don’t have the animation and so have ordered the DVDs from the library. Really keen to watch it. It might be the story I remember from when I was young..

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@whohar thank you for the update. Potentially positive though you last point absolutely nails the issue. It is essential to preserve the essence of the series.  i felt that the bigger budget did not help with that. It make the more recent series feel more “Hollywood”. It was glossier. Dr Who should never be “glossy”. it needs to preserve that more honest, real life feel that seems more common in British productions. I do feel that RTD did a great job, again, in reviving the series but it is time for a fresh vision. His over the top campy fun is not really to my taste though I enjoy his more serious and grounded writing. I just hope if they do get a new show runner that RTD will stay around pen the odd story as well as Moffat. More adult could also be a concern. Dr Who has always been able to bridge the young/mature viewing divide. I hope it will always do so.

cheers

Janette

 

 

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent I read the book a few years ago and really enjoyed Moffat’s writing style but It is more of a companion to the episode which was almost perfect. (Only imperfection that springs to mind is Liz 1’s very modern hair style)

@ps1l0v3y0u I read a lot of the early novelisations when I was a teen back in the dark days before video. The only Who novel I have read recently is the above mentioned Day of the Doctor. I wanted to get RTD’s Rose which came out at the same time but missed that one. the books were generally better than most tv tie ins in the day as they were usually written by the story writer though Harry, (Ian Marter) penned a lot too. I still have a small collection of them. Some did not survive the test of time as they were not well bound. when we do Dr Who podcasts I usually pull some out to scatter on the table along with other Who merch’. (of which we have far too much..)

Don’t think I have seen Fury of the Deep. Must look it up. We recently watched the colourised Troughton War Games. that was well done.

cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

@blenkinsopthebrave thanks for sharing. that does sound promising though as @nerys points out, what we want is for the Tardis to be “going somewhere”. I suspect  that the BBC is considering their options right now and I hope that “reduce the special effects budget and put more focus on good story writing” is a feature of the discussion,

Cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

@ps1l0v3y0u

I love the names “chucklegramps and kid” so apt. I might watch this episode after reading your review and if it is half as entertaining it will be worth it.

I really appreciate your and @dentarthurdent‘s reviews of these episodes, ‘watching them so I don’t have to”. I am being lazy though and really should try and watch them, especially as it looks as though we are entering a new “Who drought” situation.

I should be posting more too and not just lurking. I do read every post and am always disappointed when there are no new posts but I am the worst offender when it comes to not posting or commenting.

Will try and do better.

cheers

Janette

 

 

[janetteB @replies]

I had given up by this series so I really appreciate reading the above discussion. It just reaffirms my suspicions. by the end of the second J.W series I felt that watching it was detrimental and the problem was the writing and no doubt also pressures from above. However what struck me when I looked at this thread the other day was the title of the episode. it is not catchy. Sontaran War, maybe would have been better and then I looked at some of the other episode titles. Many of them are clunky.

Afraid that is the limit of what i can contribute but enjoying the discussion,

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent Yes we do indeed have fun, too much fun sometimes.Everyone talks at once making it very difficult to edit. We do a Dr Who episode every year, (just to bring it back to topic), one for each Doctor. this year will be McCoy.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

We do a podcast looking at “cult tv” and one of the questions asked is “how does this hold up?” the youngest member of the group is ten, turning eleven this week.She is the next generation and she is never going to watch older stuff like original Doctor Who unless it is the odd story just out of curiosity. Dr Who has to re invent itself to meet the needs of an ever changing audience. it isn’t made for older fans like us because we are not a large enough audience. It has to appeal to new, younger audiences if it is to continue at all. Only the most dedicated will go back and watch original series.

And really, not all old Who was gold. A lot of it does not stand up. there are series i have never watched and never will. Yes I love the originals but they are certainly not to everybody’s taste and I would not expect them to be.

cheers

Janette

 

 

 

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent I think RTD puts “rule of cool” over logic in his approach to story writing. I wasn’t a massive fan of this episode. It was a little too “fantastic” for my taste, but I did love the scene with the “fans” so that redeemed it quite a lot.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent. Well said.

We are all free to watch what we like. After all we watch Dr Who and Red Dwarf for pleasure and because we find enrichment in it. Our tastes do indeed vary to a degree. i love Tolkien for instance though I fully agree, it has some problems. It is of its time. Nothing is perfect and Old Who certainly is not.

Enjoy Red Dwarf. You can also listen to a (only slightly crazy) podcast review Here 

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@dentarthurdent

Just a day or so before watching this episode our youngest observed that there is no emotional tension in current Who. this episode proved him wrong. I was in tears on the edge of my seat. yes @ps1l0v3y0u says, definitely one of the best episodes of the season.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

It has been rather a while since I posted in here so hopefully this works. Probably the best i can do. It won’t show up as a window however.

The kids pointed this out to me tonight and I had to share it.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@translatercircuit  I can’t emphasise enough that people must remember Doctor Who didn’t start in 2005, so it’s essential for fans to watch the classic series which it’s based on!

Not it is not. Fans can start watching with the most recent series if they wish. It is entertainment. there are no rules. We are not about to write thesis on it. the same is true of any show. someone can love B.5 and never watch the first series, or Star Wars not watch the films. (Yes. the films are the worst part of the franchise) However, if Dr Who were to employ someone to oversee continuity then that person would need to watch as much old Who as possible and I don’t envy them trying to sort out the mess. To start with one that is currently bothering me, time Lords are infertile but there were how many children on Gallifrey when the Doctor destroyed it?

Umm. some attention to continuity would be nice.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@ps1l0v3y0u and @whohar the S/o watched series one and liked it. It is in my, “to watch” queue which is rather long. I did not know that it was based upon a book series but then, most good shows are. (as well as many not so good ones)

We are currently watching season 2 of Andor. It has taken us a couple of episodes to pick up the threads again. We should have re-watched season one before embarking on s.2 however as we are slow to watch things that might have taken to the end of the year.

Cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

@whohar that is a promising rumour. I think a partnership with HBO might work as they seem to like British drama and to favour high quality productions. Just as long as they don’t try and turn Dr Who into the next Got but I doubt very much they would.

I am currently optimistic about the likelihood that Dr Who will be back on our screens within the next couple of years and even if not I feel that it went out on a promising note. I am glad that RTD returned to rescue the show from the Chib’s era.For all the flaws in the past two series there were lots of good episodes and parts of episodes and there are now a few more episodes to add to the long list of “re watches”. My main concern is that this echoes what was said of the final MoCoy series. Lets hope that history doesn’t really repeat.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

We finally got to watch the final and all agreed that the big budget was not doing the series any favours. the low budget make do was always part of the charm of the original and while the needs a far bigger budget now, and it does need those special effects they are frequently overused, the Unit tower swivelling for instance. It felt more Marvell than Dr Who. The Tower was just fine as Unit H.Q.. teh new H.Q. reminds me of that spin off school series. Coal Hill had that kind of real world charm about it, It was the kind of school I went to, then in the spin off it was all glossy and shiny and soul less. There was no “character”. Unit tower has no “character”. it is all gloss.

I hope the series does go back to BBC with a smaller budget meaning less over the top special effects. good acting and a bit of make up can make for a far scarier “big bad’ than CGI.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@winston I like your bonkers theory too. That would be a good way to introduce an as yet to be cast Doctor. I hear via the rumour mill of kids following on line rumour mills that RTD is desperately trying to get financing for another series. He might well be using Billie Piper as leverage, though in what capacity probably doesn’t matter so much.  (I just do hope he looks in on this forum occasionally and picks up ideas, if not he is missing out on a goldmine)

cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

Love the bonkerising. Sadly I fear the reality will be far more mundane. I would settle for BP guesting for a Christmas Special then handing over after next year. I suspect that N.G left with little warning leaving the need for a hurried regen’ and BP offered to do the honours. I just hope that the writers are reading this thread for ideas of how to progress narratively because the bonkers theories are always better.

cheers

Janette

 

[janetteB @replies]

@whohar  well said. I think you are correct. Also bringing back B.P. has made headlines, and all publicity is good publicity as the old adage goes. so maybe RTD is endeavouring to pull off another Dr Who rescue. He says he has scripts written for another series. He is determined, I think, to make that happen with or without disney. cynical, yes. Desperate, yes. Will it work, maybe. I hope it does because if that is what it takes to keep the series going then so be it. I want more Doctor Who.

I also agree that there has not been enough discussion of Gatwa’s tenure which was rather comet like, bright but brief. He did not have nearly enough time but he made the most of that time. He made an impression from the outset, he owned the role whereas I often feel that other actors take time to really get their personal stamp on it. N.C. was the Doctor. I am glad that there are some wonderful episodes from these last two series that will be re watched in this house at least. Every actor that has ever been the Doctor will always be the Doctor.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

Continuing to be in ‘catch up” mode we watched this episode last night and as with so many episodes this series, it was better than expected.We were catapulted from a kind of Pratchett world into a version of The Handmaid’s Tale. Only RTD could pull that off.

I liked the use of colour and the depiction of the right wing, idealisation of the 1950s,. It was a kind of conservative fantasy world. Loved the Doctor’s extreme smile. Gatwi was perfect in this episode. (Going to miss him)

It was a good story and tense too and for me at least left only one question. WHY. I mean, lovely concept, very well executed by why? I had the feel at the end that the entire episode was “rule of cool”, it looks good, sounds good so lets do it.

Well at least I will enjoy watching it again to see if I can find answers, anything I might have missed with my sleep deprived befuddled brain. and it It still doesn’t fully make sense I will watch again, and again. Most of this series has been high on the re watchability stakes at least.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

I have just seen the news. Oh boy was not expecting that. Like @cathannabel I was not ready to say farewell to Ncuti Gatwa. He needed another season at least. but as for the next Doctor, well it makes sense. I can see it. the Doctor does like to revisit old faces and BP has developed well as an actor and has the range now and the love for the show. Glad I saw the news before watching the episode however. time to absorb the loss of Ncuti and prepare for it. He was a wonderful Doctor.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

I echo previous posts Nice to have you back @scaryb

Have just watched this episode at last. I think I was putting it off because I expected it to be a bit cringy. for me eurovision has zero appeal and I expected the S/O would really dislike it. It was surprisingly good and even he agreed that it wasn’t in the least bit “cringy”.

Nice to see Susan finally referenced. She has to be somewhere. How does she manage, being a time lord down on Earth. Eventually she must regenerate. That is surely going to be problematical. I think there is a lot of story potential there, no doubt being tapped into by Big Finish.

some random thoughts no doubt already commented on above, bi generation is being firmly established. we are still in “mavity” universe though Belinda did seem to be unfamiliar with the term, & this feels a little like the ending of Turn Left. The earth is missing once again.

Lastly I do like that RTD is pulling out characters/enemies from old who that have been gathering dust for decades. there is a lot of story potential that has been overlooked in favour of an over reliance on the same old villains, ie cybermen, daleks and sontarans.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@blenkinsopthebrave thanks for sharing that. Oh dear. Gallifrey has become a narrative football.

Cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@whohar. I like your wish list there. Last night son and I were talking about future Dr Who direction. He was less than impressed with the most recent episode. I proposed that it might be time to set up a kind of Writers Room rather than leaving the creative decisions entirely with one show runner so there is someone who can say, “RTD we love your writing but Space babies are not a great idea.”

I have loved this series thus far but don’t expect to enjoy the final two stories. I have never been a fan of RTD’s bigger better, “bangier” series endings. I think a year break might be good but am really hoping that Ncuti Gatwa stays on. He needs another series. Also having had a much needed break with the old “enemies” which were massively overused I think it is time for them to start making the odd appearance again. I also want to see Alfred Enoch make an appearance as Ian and Barbara’s grandson. Have just been watching something with him in and he reminds me a lot of Ian. For now that is my “wish list”. Oh and more episodes penned by Moffat and Christmas Specials. Sad that there won’t be one this year.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@mudlark. I did not know that J.W. was discouraged from watching any previous Doctor’s. It seems Chibnell had his own vision for the show, perhaps going back to his fan club days. I do feel that J.W. was not perhaps ideal casting. To me she was the Peter Davison equivalent but like, P.D. with better stories and direction she would have been much better. (also without the annoying Graeme but then, all three companions were badly served by the scripts.)

I too usually copy what I have written before hitting post. I am on another forum which frequently logs me out and as I am doing minutes on that forum I have to ensure that I don’t loose anything so I have got into the habit of doing so.

cheers

Janette

[janetteB @replies]

@ps1l0v3y0u I think you sum it up well. some very good points there.

I felt that Chibnell was stomping over what little continuity there was. take Gallifrey which I know I do harp on about,,, When Moffat resurrected Gallifray he discussed it first with RTD. (is that ok mate if I do that) it wasn’t a rewrite but it was changing the direction set by RTD. Chibnell then just goes and destroys Gallifrey again, as though he is deliberately running the bulldozer through Moff’s work. Ruth’s  buried Tardis being in the shape of a police box, while I understand that visually it might be needed to work, goes against all established canon. If she was an earlier version of the Doctor she wouldn’t even have the same Tardis. We saw Hartnell Doc steal it before it took on the shape of a police box. There isn’t much continuity in Dr Who but that is core, a founding myth as it were.

there were plenty of mixed messages in the episodes, the one that appeared initially to be having a stab at Amazon but ended up being a stab at unions. the spider one was also weirdly mixed. As was pointed out by a Guardian journo at the time, it is was  though he was trying to appear radical while actually being deeply conservative. Ie look how radical i am casting a female as doctor but then giving the female doctor an old male companion to tell her what to do. I got very tired of Graeme. He really needed to spend less time on the tardis as he overshadowed the Doctor on many occasions. However it is now established that the Doctor can be female so a cheer to Chibnell for that. I also really like the theme music in those years. there were some ok stories, but nothing that really stood out. there were no absolute stinkers either though. No space babies so there is that.

the wheels turned over, some aspects of the chibnell years however do need, “revising” and I would be very happy if Ruth Doc was explained in a “better” way and the timeless child either forgotten or also rewritten. It wasn’t so much the concept that was the problem but the execution. if you are going to make that level of change to the story you have to do it very well. It was not well done.

whew. sorry for the rant.

btw I think Faye Marsay, (assuming that is who you are referring to) is great. Have watched her career with interest since Last Christmas and um, i think she would probably be a good Doctor.

Cheers

Janette

 

 

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